Page 84 of The Lord's Compass
“I’m here,” she said, stepping outside the door to find Eric waiting, a grin on his face even larger than usual.
“I have a gift for you,” he said, his hands behind his back.
“A gift?” she said with raised brows. “We only just returned last week and I don’t need anything.”
“That is where you are wrong,” he said. “I do believe you need this.”
She eyed him suspiciously. She wasn’t exactly one for surprises, but he was so eager that she couldn’t help but catch some of his excitement.
“Very well,” she said, waving her hand out. “What is it?”
“You must follow me,” he said, reaching out to clasp her hand, surprising her for she had guessed that he had held something in his hands.
She allowed him to lead her through the estate, down the stairs and into the library, out through the terrace doors. Eric had their cloaks prepared, and she followed him through the immaculate gardens. He stopped a few times, muttering to himself before turning one way and then the other.
“Are you lost?” she asked, trying to contain her mirth.
“Of course not,” he said. “This is my home.”
“Of course,” she said, but when he stopped and turned again, she was unable to contain her laughter. He answered her with a small smile of his own.
“Very well,” he said. “I might be slightly lost.”
She laughed aloud, shaking her head, until finally, he pulled her through the hedge into a clearing.
“Here we are!” he said triumphantly, and Faith’s jaw dropped open.
For in front of them was a beautiful, intricate, archery course, and there, sitting across from the field of targets that awaited, was a fine new quiver of arrows and the most beautiful bow Faith had ever seen.
“Oh, Eric,” she said, bringing a hand to her mouth as she walked over, sinking to her knees, uncaring about any stains that might be left on her dress. “This is gorgeous.”
She removed her gloves and ran her hand over the fine wood of the bow before placing the quiver on her back. She reached back, drew out an arrow, and notched it onto the bow before lining up to face her target.
She closed an eye, aimed, and let the arrow fly. It landed in the middle of the target with athudthat had her smiling and Eric clapping proudly.
He walked toward her, a knowing grin on his face.
“What do you think? Do you enjoy the gift?”
“It is amazing,” she said, reaching her arms out and wrapping them around his neck. “I had missed time with my bow and arrows. Thank you for knowing exactly what I needed to truly make this feel like home.”
She leaned in, tilting her head up to his and meeting his lips, their kiss tender and giving. Faith sank into him, wondering if they should risk exploring one another further here within the best gift she had ever received when a voice broke through her musings.
“My lord! My lady!”
They parted at the sound of one of the footmen running toward them. When he cleared the break in the trees and came into view, they could see that he was holding a letter outstretched before him.
“What is it, Jones?” Eric asked, leaving Faith’s side and meeting him halfway.
“An urgent message,” the footman said through heavy breaths. “It was sent by a messenger on horseback who said you needed to receive it at once.”
Eric and Faith exchanged a look of concern before Eric tore into it, Faith impatiently ducking under his arm so that she could read it at the same time as him. She finished the note quicker than he did, unable to prevent the gasp that emerged. She knew when Eric read the same as his hands tightened around her upper arms.
“When did this arrive?” Eric demanded.
“Just a few minutes ago,” the footman said, and Faith grabbed Eric’s arm.
“It is dated a week ago,” she said. “Oh, Eric, what should we do? Should we stay here and search in the area, as Lord Ashford asks, or should we return to Castleton and try to help coordinate the search from there?”
